LOS ANGELEs, CA — Oscar-nominated director John Singleton died Monday after being taken off life-support. The “Boyz in the Hood” filmmaker suffered a major stroke earlier this month at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, after he was admitted for leg pain, and his family was forced to make the “agonizing decision” to remove him from life support. In announcing the news, the family sought to raise awareness about health issues facing the African-American community in homage to an artist famous for championing the stories of African-Americans.
“John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends,” according to a statement released by the family’s publicist. “We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want to thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time.”
The family had announced plans to remove Singleton from life support earlier in the morning.
“It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton, will be taken off of life support today,” according to the statement released by a publicist for the family. “This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors.”
“Like many African-Americans, Singleton quietly struggled with hypertension,” his family’s statement added. “More than 40% of African-American men and women have high blood pressure, which also develops earlier in life and is usually more severe. His family wants to share the message with all to please recognize the symptoms by going to Heart.org.”
The Oscar-nominated actor is just 51-years-old. He rose to fame directing, 1991’s “Boyz in the Hood” as well as “Poetic Justice,” “Higher Learning,” “2 Fast 2 Furious” and the 2000 remake of “Shaft.” The L.A. native grew up in South Los Angeles, attended USC and produced the A&E documentary “L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later.”
He is the creator of the FX series “Snowfall,” about the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles. Its third season is scheduled to begin later this year.
“John grew up in South Central L.A. with a love of cinema that showed itself early on,” according to the family’s statement. “He went on to become one of the most lauded graduates of the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Within months of graduating, John returned to South Central to shoot his debut feature, `Boyz n the Hood.’ The movie, which was unusually shot in sequence, masterfully captured a story of friendship, youth and the peril of hard choices in a community marred by gang violence.”
The family noted that Singleton took pride in providing opportunities to new talent, including Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson.
The stroke created a rift in the Singleton family. His daughter last week challenged his mother’s claim that the filmmaker was in a coma. Cleopatra Singleton, 19, claimed in a sworn statement filed in Los Angeles Superior Court Friday that her father’s physicians are continuing to examine him to determine his condition, TMZ reported.
That claim, however, appeared to be trumped by Monday’s announcement that Singleton was being removed from life support.
“We are grateful to his fans, friends and colleagues for the outpour of love and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. We want to thank all the doctors at Cedars Sinai for the impeccable care he received.
Singleton is survived by his mother, Sheila Ward; his father, Danny Singleton; and his children Justice, Maasai, Hadar, Cleopatra, Selenesol, Isis and Seven.
The family said details about memorial services will be provided at a later date.
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City News Service and Paige Austin contributed to this report.